These families can submit their names to Elaine Dumler (the official Flat Daddy Lady) to get on the list for a free one when the funds are available. But fund raising can take awhile, and the current waiting list has around 120 families.

So I had an idea: What if my awesome readers help get Flat Daddies for specific military families, one at a time?

Right this minute, I know of at least four families by name who could really use a Flat Daddy, and I'm sure I'll find more. If I somehow run out of names, Elaine can always provide me more from the wait list.

I really, really want to support families going through deployment, and if just some of my readers donate a few dollars here and there, we'd be able to buy several Flat Daddies. They cost more than one person usually can donate at once ($49.50).

But consider this: if 10 people each donated $5, that's a whole Flat Daddy.

A little goes a long way toward making a real difference.

I'm so excited about the idea, I'm giddy!

So here's my plan:

I'll start by spotlighting a specific military family. In many cases, I'll need to stay pretty vague on details simply for the safety of their soldiers, but I'll let you know what I can about them.

Then their family will be on my sidebar. Anyone wanting to donate (even a few dollars!) can do so. Follow the progress bar to see how close we are to getting THAT family their very own Flat Daddy.

Every time enough funds are raised, I'll place the order for that family's Flat Daddy. I'll report back here and put up the next family with their progress bar.

So please, please help out, with whatever amount you can! Go without that burger once this week to help a family. If we all pitch in just a little bit, we can make a huge difference all together!

Remember, you can also donate at the Flat Daddy website directly; you just won't know what family you're donating to, and it won't go toward the Flat Daddy Family spotlighted here at The Lyon's Tale.

Our First Flat Daddy Family: The Pattersons

The Patterson family is currently living through Dad's second deployment. They have five children ranging from five to seventeen.

I believe their five-year-old wasn't even born when Dad left the first time. For him, Dad's absence has got to be particularly hard. But even the older kids miss Dad terribly.

(Above: Daddy Patterson)

Let's help get his family a Flat Daddy . . . now.

Donate with a click.

My side bar now has a donate button. Use it to send money directly to my Flat Daddy Families fund. (Can't get much simpler than that!)

If you know of a family who could use a Flat Daddy, drop me a line, and I'll add them to my list. Let's see how many we can get out there!

But first, let's see how fast we can get the Patterson family their Flat Daddy!